Ruman on racing, an inside look

 

Last year at Road Atlanta Amy Ruman made Trans Am history with her win in the 2011 Road Atlanta Trans-Am, scoring the first victory in the history of the series by a woman.  Ruman started her Chevrolet Corvette third and led the final five laps (36-40) of the 40-lap race.  With the Trans Am finale once again at Road Atlanta, she will be striving to replicate her success from last year.  

 

We sit down with the Trans Am driver to discuss this year, the finale, points leader Simon Gregg and racing with her family. 

 

Q: This is your most successful year with Trans Am to date, what have you and your team been doing throughout the season that you credit your success to?

 

Ruman: This has been a great season for the Ruman Racing team! I don't think our success is something where you can point to just one thing. We have a very good group, and our team has raced together for a long time. We acquired the new car and that was a big step for us, but as far as performance, the biggest thing was how quickly the team learned their way around the new car and how well they have prepared it.  Once I found my groove, I started gaining a lot of confidence in it and was able to start being quick right off the trailer. 

 

Q: If you are able to overcome Simon (Gregg) and end up winning the Trans Am championship you'll be in the company of a list of legends throughout motorsports; Tommy Kendall, Mark Donohue, Scott Pruett, Dallenbach Jr., George Follmer, Scott Sharp and Peter Gregg. What will it mean to you to join the likes of those drivers?

 

Ruman: That’s a pretty amazing group of guys who really are legends in the sport. But we’ve got two races to go yet and I want to remain focused on the competition.  Racing comes first, so hopefully, lets talk about that after Road Atlanta!

 

Q: Racing is a family business for you, what does it mean to you to work with your family so closely in racing and particularly to follow in your father's footsteps in Trans Am?

 

Ruman: We are really fortunate not only to get to go out and enjoy something like racing in Trans Am, but also to get to do it as a family. The fact that my parents have done this for so long, we have that going for us.  Going to the track and racing with my family is a natural thing, it's something that I don't take for granted and that makes our weekends really special -especially when there is a podium to celebrate!

 

Q: Are there any challenges specific to Road Atlanta that you're preparing for?

 

Ruman: Simon has had a really good season and I think we have a big challenge ahead of us at Road Atlanta. Obviously, it is a special track for me with having my first TA win there last year. I don't want to get caught up in points possibilities or any of that for the championship. We just need to have two strong races and see where the chips fall. We've worked to get the best finish we can out of each race weekend. I have been focusing on making the most of each weekend and trying to win races, and the Road Atlanta races will not be any different. It is a long time for us to sit and think about all of this between races though!

 

Amy will take to the track once again at Road Atlanta November 3rd and 4th for the final two races of the season. 

 

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